@article{ref1,
title="Gender diverse children and adolescents in Italy: a qualitative study on specialized  centers' model of care and network",
journal="International journal of environmental research and public health",
year="2020",
author="Giovanardi, Guido and Fortunato, Alexandro and Mirabella, Marta and Speranza, Anna Maria and Lingiardi, Vittorio",
volume="17",
number="24",
pages="e9536-e9536",
abstract="In recent years, Italy, similar to many other countries, has witnessed an increase  in children and adolescents presenting gender incongruence. This trend has led to  the development and implementation of specialized centers providing care and support  for these youths and their families. The present study aimed at investigating the  functioning of agencies specialized in working with transgender and gender  non-conforming youths in the Italian territory. Professionals in these agencies were  interviewed about their perspectives on their agency's functioning, networks with  other services, and work with trans* youths and their families. A semi-structured  interview was developed and administered to professionals in specialized centers and  associations dedicated to trans * youths, and deductive thematic analysis was  applied to the transcripts. Eight professionals were interviewed: six working in  specialized centers and two working in associations. The qualitative analyses of  transcripts revealed four main themes, pertaining to service referrals, assessment  protocols and intervention models, psychological support for youths and families,  and agency shortcomings. The study explored the functioning of Italian agencies  specialized in caring for transgender and gender non-conforming youths, from the  perspective of professionals working in these agencies. While several positive  aspects of the work emerged, the study highlighted a lack of uniformity across the  Italian territory and the need for better networks between agencies and other  medical professionals.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1661-7827",
doi="10.3390/ijerph17249536",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249536"
}